Sport board

ABSTRACT

A shock absorption system for a sports board which includes a rocker assembly for attaching the board to a raised platform which rocks forward and aft on the board. A space between the platform and the board to accommodate two independent inflated bladders which create a cushion for the platform to rock into forward and aft. The pressure inside the bladders will be at the rider&#39;s desired psi and will be sufficient for the rider to exert extreme pressures for balance, control, and maneuvers on any given terrain conditions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a completion application of co-pending of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/338,772, filed Dec. 4, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention pertains to sport boards. More particularly, the present invention concerns a shock absorbing system for a sport board. Even more particularly, the present invention concerns a universal shock absorbing system for a wide variety of sport boards.

PRIOR ART

[0004] In recent years, snowboarding, skate boarding, and water or aquatic board-related sports have continued to become increasingly popular sports. These sports have also become more competitive and demanding on both the rider and the equipment. The demand continues in recreational and competitive snow and water sports.

[0005] In any form of transportation, there is an inherent element of “shock” that is produced by changing terrain conditions that transfers energy from the terrain ground or water into the vehicle that is speeding across it. In most forms of transportation, the vehicle has been equipped with some form of “shock absorbers” to smooth out the ride and to increase performance of both the equipment and the rider. It has become essential for the vehicle to be equipped with shock absorbers except in vehicles like the snowboards, skateboards, water skis and wakeboards. The present invention, as subsequently detailed, addresses this issue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance herewith, there is provided a shock absorbing system for a sport board which comprises:

[0007] (a) a sport or sporting board, and

[0008] (b) a rocker system associated therewith.

[0009] The rocker system or rocker, generally, comprises a pair of spaced apart first and second or lower and upper, respectively, rocking members which are disposed transverse to the longitudinal access of the board. The rocking members are hingedly interconnected through suitable means to enable the rocker to rotate or pivot forward and aft.

[0010] The first or lower rocking member is integral with or otherwise affixed to the board on the upper surface thereof

[0011] The upper or second rocking member is affixed to a platform which is disposed above the board such that a space is created between the bottom of the platform and the upper surface of the board.

[0012] The upper rocking member and the lower rocking member include means for interdigitating, such as spacers or hinge members which cooperate to define a hinge. A hinge pin, or the like, interconnects the two together and defines a pivot about which the platform rotates.

[0013] In a first embodiment here, a pair of bladders or other compressible bodies are affixed to the upper surface of the board, one on each side of the hinge, in the space between the board and the platform. Thus, as the platform teeters or pivots between a forward and an aft position on the board, it will encounter one of the two bladders. Each bladder is inflatable and contains the same amount of fluid, such as air.

[0014] The bladders and hinge may be encased within a sealed shroud or the like to protect it from the elements.

[0015] It is further contemplated in the practice of the present invention that the present invention be part of an original equipment or that it be retrofitted wherein the bladders, rocker members, and platform are disposed on a mounting plate which is secured to a sports board.

[0016] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, references made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a top view of a sports board for use in the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of a sports board having the rocker system hereof mounted thereto;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a top view of a sports board having the lower rocker member mounted thereto;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a bottom review of the platform used herein having the upper rocker member mounted thereonto;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing the platform and the hinge pinhole;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a plan view, partly exploded, showing the hinge pin and the air bladders used herein;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sleeve;

[0024]FIG. 8 depicts the rubber outer containment housing or shroud with upper and lower rubber seals and valve ports;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a front view of the upper and lower rocker members;

[0026]FIG. 9A is a front view of a spacer;

[0027]FIG. 10 is a side view of an air bladder; and

[0028]FIG. 11 is a side view of a second embodiment hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Now, in accordance with the present invention, and with reference to the drawing, in particular FIGS. 1-10, there is depicted therein a sports board, generally, denoted at 16. The sports board 16 hereof may comprise a ski board, skate board, water board, wave board, ski, or any other similar type of board which is used in various ground and aquatic sports. The present invention is contemplated for use in connection with and conjointly with any one of such type boards. Thus, the board 16 shown herein is a snowboard for illustrative purposes only. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is applicable to any other type of board such as those alluded to hereinabove.

[0030] The board 16 hereof has an upper surface 11 and a lower surface 13. Disposed on the board 16 is a shock absorbing system or shock absorber defined by a rocker system or rocker, generally, denoted at 12 (FIG. 9). The rocker system hereof, generally, comprises:

[0031] (a) a first or lower rocker member 19 which is disposed atop the board 16, and

[0032] (b) an upper or second rocker member 31 which interdigitates with and is hingedly connected to the lower rocker member via means for hingedly interconnecting such as a pin or hinge pin 22.

[0033] In a first embodiment hereof, the lower rocker is secured to the upper surface 11 of the board 16 by any suitable means and, preferably, is molded integrally with the board. The lower rocker 19, generally, comprises a transverse body disposed on the upper surface 11 of the board 16 and extending across the width thereof. The lower rocker member 19 further includes:

[0034] (a) a pair of spaced apart flanges 19′, 19″, each having an aperture formed therein, and

[0035] (b) a plurality of cylindrical sleeves 26 which are mounted onto the transverse rocker or fulcrum 19 or is integrally formed therewith.

[0036] The sleeves 26, as noted, are cylindrical and have a hollow interior. The sleeves are co-axial with themselves and the apertures of the flanges. A plurality of spacers 27, as shown in FIG. 9A are disposed on either side of associated sleeves 26, as shown.

[0037] Disposed on either side of the fulcrum are compressible members 23 and 23′. Each compressible member is similar. The compressible members can comprise any suitable article such as a section of compressible foam, an inflatable bladder, or the like. Each of the bladders is independently inflatable with a suitable fluid such as water, air or the like. A valve member 24 associated with each bladder may be used to inflate and deflate its associated bladder, as desired. Preferably, in the practice of the present invention, each of the bladders contains the same amount of fluid so that they are substantially equal. Preferably, the bladders are air bladders. It is contemplated that the valves or valve members 24 will extend from their associated bladder through the platform 17 to facilitate accessibility thereto.

[0038] The compressible members are secured to the upper surface of the board by any suitable means such as through an anchor 30. Alternatively, the bladders may be secured to the upper surface 11 with a nylon hook and fastener (Velcro), gluing, or the like.

[0039] As noted, the upper rocker assembly 31 is constructed similar to rocker member 19 and includes aperture flanges 31′ and 31″. The member 31 is secured to a platform 17. The platform 17 has an upper surface 17′ and a lower surface 17″. As shown, the rocker 31 is integral with or otherwise affixed to the lower surface 17″. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface 17″ of the platform 17 is substantially bisected by the transverse rocker or fulcrum member 31 into a pair of identical sections. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the bottom surface 17″ of the platform 17 tapers from the member 31 to the outer perimetral edge of the board. The taper permits the space 90 between the lower surface of the platform 17 and the upper surface 11 of the board 16 to reduce quickly when the platform and the board teeter into each other.

[0040] The upper rocker member 31 also includes a plurality of co-axial cylindrical sleeves 26′ integral therewith. The sleeves 26′ are constructed similarly to the sleeves disposed on the lower rocker member 19 and are spaced in a manner such that they will interdigitate, therewith, as shown in FIG. 9. The sleeves 26′ may be integrally formed with the fulcrum member 31 or may comprise a plurality of sleeves mounted thereonto. It should be noted in this regard, that the sleeves formed in the lower fulcrum member or transverse fulcrum member 16 may be integrally molded therewith, as shown in FIG. 9. Since each of the sleeves are coaxial, the hinge pin 22 can project therethrough to hingedly interconnect the platform to the lower rocker.

[0041] It is readily appreciated that the platform pivots about the pin 22 both fore and aft in the directions of the arrow A (FIG. 5).

[0042] It should be noted that the intermediate sleeves 26 and 26′ are optional since it is only necessary that the upper fulcrum member 31 be hingedly connected to the lower rocker member 19 so that the hinge pin 22 may project therethrough and interconnect the upper rocker to the lower rocker. Thus, only the apertured flanges 19′, 19″, 31′ and 31″ are necessary for hinged interconnection. Optionally, a plurality of wear rings or spacers 27 may be disposed between the sleeves 26′ to prevent wear or the like.

[0043] In order to maintain the rocker system sealed from the elements and to maintain the integrity and pressure within the bladders, it is possible to enshroud the system with a shroud or outer containment housing 33. In order to accommodate the shroud, valve ports 25 are provided in the seal or shroud 33. The valves 24 extend from each of the bladders and protrude through the ports 25, from the platform 17 to enable them to be connected to a suitable source of compressed air or other fluid (not shown). A pressure gauge or the like (not shown) can be operatively affixed to the valves to measure and control the pressure within the bladders.

[0044] .As shown, a first sealing element or rim seal 20 is circumferentially disposed about the lower rocker member 19. The rim seal 20 is used to attach a lower portion of a shroud 33 to encase the lower rocker 19 and to protect it from the elements, as explained herein below. The rim seal 20 secures a lower seal 28 associated with the shroud 33 thereto. Sealing is accomplished by snap-fitting the lower seal 28 into the lower rim seal 20 the lower seal 28 into the rim seal 20.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, secured to the lower surface of the platform and surrounding the upper rocker member is a rim seal 32. The rim seal 32 slidingly fits into the lower rim seal 28 to effectively close off the rocker system from the elements. The shroud 33 carries the seals 28 and 29.

[0046] Where used, the outer containment housing or shroud 33 is placed around the rocker assembly, the upper seal 29 and the lower seal 28 are snapped into the upper rim seal 32 and the lower rim seal 20, respectively, to form a seal that will protect all the components inside from water, snow, ice, etc. The outer containment housing thus includes a bead, i.e. upper and lower seals 28 and 29, that snaps into the rim seals all the way around the shock absorbing assembly to protect it from the elements. The outer containment housing is a continuous piece made of rubber, vinyl, nylon or other suitable water-impervious suitable material.

[0047] The shroud 33, being attached at both its top and bottom to the rocker assembly has a sufficient extension capability to allow full range of motion of the most forward part and most aft part of the platform.

[0048] With the board and the platform joined together, there is defined a unitary shock absorbing assembly. The board and the platform are free moving parts, able to teeter in opposite directions from one another.

[0049] The user, when deploying the present invention as a snowboard is positioned on the platform, toes pointing to one lateral edge, and heals pointing to the other or opposite lateral edge, one foot forward of the fulcrum, and one foot aft of the fulcrum, and the feet at about a nominal 3°-35° angle to the length and the width of the platform, though this is dictated by the comfort desires of the user. When associated with a ski, the platform may be modified to include bindings 18 for securing a ski boot (not shown) or other footwear. like.

[0050] When used as water ski, the user has one foot forward of the fulcrum, centered on the platform and toes pointing toward the tip of the board and the other foot centered on the platform after of the fulcrum and toes pointing toward the tip of the board.

[0051] As a kneeboard, the user is in the kneeling position, as a wake board, the user is in the same position as with a snowboard.

[0052] The present invention can be used to retrofit an existing sport boards. Thus, and shown in FIG. 11 and in a second embodiment hereof, generally, denoted at 210 there is provided a mounting plate 212 to which is secured the rocker system hereof. The mounting plate 212 is dimensioned to lie atop or be superposed a sport board (not shown). The mounting plate is secured to the sport board through any suitable means, such as threaded fasteners, adhesives, and the like. In all respects the shock absorbing system is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0053] It is to be appreciated that there has been described herein a sports board which enables the user to ride on a “cushion of air” or other suitable fluid thereby softening the ride while at the same time providing a rigid toe-to-toe or heel-to-heel (edge-to-edge) ride providing improved performance. 

Having, thus, described the invention what is claimed is:
 1. A shock absorbing system for a sports board, comprising: (a) a platform disposed above a sports board. The platform and the board defining a space therebetween, (b) a rocker assembly hingedly interconnecting the platform to a sports board, the platform being rotatable forward and aft of a sports board above the rocker assembly, and (c) a pair of compressible members, one disposed forward of the rocker assembly and the other after of the rocker assembly, the pair of compressible members being disposed in the space between the platform and the board.
 2. The shock absorbing system of claim 1 wherein the rocker assembly comprises: (a) a lower rocker member extending traverse of the board, (b) an upper rocker member extending traverse of the platform, and (c) means for hingedly interconnecting the upper rocker member to the lower rocker member.
 3. The shock absorbing system of claim 2 wherein the means for hingedly interconnecting comprises: (a) a plurality of spacers integrally formed with the lower rocker member, (b) the spacers comprising a plurality of spaced apart of cylindrical elements which are co-axial and having a hollow interior, (c) a plurality of cylindrical, co-axial spacers formed intergrally with the upper rocker member, the spacers being co-axial and being spaced apart a sufficient distance to interdigitate with the spacers of the lower rocker member, and (d) a hinge pin which projects through the cylindrical spacers to interconnect the platform to the board.
 4. The shock absorbing system of claim 1 wherein each of the compressible members comprises an inflatable air bladder.
 5. The shock absorbing system of claim 1 which further comprises a shroud for encasing the shock absorbing system.
 6. The shock absorbing system of claim 1 wherein the compressible members comprise a compressible foam.
 7. The shock absorbing system of claim 1 which further comprises a mounting plate, the platform, rocker assembly, and compressible members being disposed on the mounting plate, mounting plate being securable to the sports board. 